We’ve never been this warm to a car line than we are with the current Mercedes EQ sedans. We recently had the chance to test drive the AMG EQE Sedan, a sleek four-door electric vehicle that can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in no time, leaving even high-performance sports cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera S in its dust while producing zero emissions and an environmentally friendly conscience. The car’s performance was marred by its lack of cohesion, failing to engage drivers as it struggled to maintain consistent braking and never quite finding a solution that worked well on any terrain. While the AMG sedan may be intriguing, we firmly believe the SUV variant outshines it as the superior vehicle.
Although the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV carries a price tag of $7,400 more than its sedan counterpart, this premium is well justified given its unique features and capabilities. The SUV features larger wheels, significantly revamped steering and suspension calibration, rear-axle steering capable of rotating the wheels up to 9.0 degrees compared to the sedan’s 3.6 degrees, and an all-new Off-Road mode. The SUV eschews traditional anti-roll bars in favor of advanced electromechanical energy roll stabilization technology, designed to minimize body roll and enhance overall ride comfort. The SUV’s fuel efficiency has notably increased to 378 kilometres, surpassing the sedan’s modest range of 362 kilometres. While referred to as EQE 53 in various global regions, it’s essential to note that Canadians are familiar with this electric vehicle under its simple yet straightforward designation: Mercedes-AMG EQE.
Regardless of its moniker, this sport utility vehicle leaves all doubts about its speed behind in a cloud of dust. The crossover leverages an identical powertrain setup to its sedan counterpart, featuring a 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery and dual electric motors. Although the EQE produces a substantial 617 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque, this impressive output is not always accessible and instead depends on the selected driving mode. The team at AMG kindly provided us with a detailed chart.
| Slippery | 50% output (308 hp) |
| Consolation | 80% output (493 hp) |
| Sport | 90% output (555 hp) |
| Sport+ | 100% output (617 hp) |
| Starting a race without increasing performance? | 100% output (617 hp) |
| RACE START with Increase perform | 110% output (677 hp) |
Sport+ allows for a dedicated 100% energy mode, setting it apart from other modes that dynamically adjust power output to optimize efficiency. Optioning the AMG Dynamic Plus Bundle unlocks a RACE START mode, commonly referred to as launch control, which temporarily boosts output to an astonishing 677 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, allowing the EQE to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds – identical to its sedan counterpart and outpacing rivals like the BMW iX M60 (3.8s) and Audi SQ8 e-tron (4.6s).
The Mercedes-AMG’s efficiency-oriented features include an adaptive air suspension and 22-inch wheels, with 21-inch wheels being a more standard fitment. Nevertheless, its acceleration remained unhesitant from start to finish. The absence of synergy between these components is palpable, resulting in a disjointed narrative. The sleek design of this sports car doesn’t exactly entice you to floor it.
While the SUV provides additional reassurance for braking heavily, cornering aggressively, and gently coaxing the rear end to release its grip, the margin is marginal at best. It’s likely attributed to the elevated seating position, as well as the reduced physical roll courtesy of Mercedes-AMG’s innovative Lively Experience Management system, featuring newly designed electric anti-roll bars. It’s possible that the SUV’s extra 115 kilograms of weight, coupled with its heightened center of gravity, is what keeps it firmly planted on the ground – a result of cleverly calibrated suspension settings designed specifically to accommodate its increased stature. Without the need to prove itself as a high-performance sports car capable of outpacing a Bugatti Chiron, perhaps.
As speed increases, the steering system is subjected to pronounced vibrations emanating from the front tyres, a phenomenon that subsides significantly when navigating slow speeds. As you accelerate, the SUV seems to come alive, its engine purring in harmony with the asphalt beneath, as if the very road itself were conducting an impromptu symphony. With its substantial 22-inch tires boasting a low profile, the sedan’s ride quality is noticeably more cushioned and absorbent compared to its 20-inch counterparts on other models. While the SUV provides a sturdier ride, its suspension struggles to effectively absorb pockmarked road surfaces and bumps.
As you navigate the controls, the actions initially feel jarringly unnatural, as if someone has cranked up your mouse sensitivity to an unprecedented 150%, leaving you feeling compelled, hypersensitive, and hyperresponsive for the first few hours behind the wheel. The rear axle’s active steering system lends an unsettling sense of agility and nervousness, making the vehicle surprisingly spry despite its size – though it does take a while to grow accustomed to its quirks, requiring far more time to adapt than with traditional gasoline-powered cars. While the learning curve may be steep, I’m not convinced that the payoff justifies the trouble. While the BMW iX M60 may lack pace, its simplicity makes it more inviting; as a fully-fledged driver’s SUV, it boasts a gentler learning curve. The identical performance characteristics of the Audi SQ8 e-tron also extend to its design and features.
While the sedan’s braking performance is commendable, the AMG’s strongest asset lies in its exceptional acceleration capabilities. Despite its added heft, the SUV’s weight actually accentuates the inconsistency of its brake pedal, making it even more noticeable. The pedal’s springiness is evident, exhibiting a non-linear response that can be challenging to modulate with precision. Minimal margin for error exists in pedaling mechanics. When you lift your foot even slightly, the vehicle surges backward in an effort to recapture its lost momentum. The frustrating inertia disconnects us, a peculiar sensation in an SUV marketed for drivers. By swiftly toggling the paddle shifters between ‘sturdy’ and ‘nil regen’, one can cleverly repurpose the system to provide an impromptu braking solution, effectively bypassing the need for the traditional brake pedal. While stop-motion may not have been quite as agile, its motion did prove to be significantly smoother and more predictable overall. One other treatment? Accelerate quickly and prolong braking performance. While well-suited for spirited driving, the brakes may struggle with the repetitive low-speed stops typical of urban commutes, a reality many EQE AMG owners can expect.
While the EQ sedans exhibit a tear-drop design, their SUVs demonstrate greater visual harmony. Their larger-than-life silhouettes yield an unmistakable visual bulk and a powerful, imposing posture. Regardless of efforts, skip the operating board choices, which are infuriatingly slender and useless, yet expansive enough to consistently stain the back of your pants when disembarking from a vehicle.
The AMG’s iconic grille and hot-stamped vertical accents in polished chrome leave us perpetually checking our surroundings, even when the car is parked. Wrapped in Obsidian Black and complemented by 22-inch turbine wheels ($1,755), the EQE AMG exudes sleek sophistication, akin to a bespoke striped tuxedo tailored specifically for it.
To be aware, the 2024 AMG models feature an exclusive Affalterbach badge on the front hood, replacing the standard Mercedes-Benz silver star logo.
The interior offers ample space, far exceeding that of a standard sedan. With its six-foot frame, I found no constraint within the sedan’s 5 generously proportioned seats; nevertheless, headroom, legroom, and cargo capacity are significantly more accommodating in the SUV. Unlike sedans with their narrow, slit-like rear windshields, the SUV’s design allows for unobstructed views of the surroundings.
“The EQE also arrives with a more convincingly sporty specification, featuring carbon fibre panels, red seatbelts, and a suede-leather steering wheel, priced at $650 – a highly recommended upgrade.”
The SUV’s superiority is undeniable, but it’s not a stark disparity. The vehicle’s design fosters a sense of connection and unity, courtesy of reduced body roll and more direct handling characteristics. Notwithstanding its shortcomings, the SUV still falls short in several areas, including brake inconsistency, street handling, and variability – issues that we cannot justify persisting, leading us to strongly recommend the product that AMG excels at: its combustion-powered options, such as the GLE 53.
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE 4MATIC+ SUV
Obsidian Black
$128,900
$148,925
3,030
4,879 / 2,141 / 1,669
2,626
90.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery powers dual electric motors
Producing a whopping 617 horsepower, with an impressive 677-horsepower surge available in RACE START mode.
With a massive 701 pound-feet of torque and an astonishing 738 momentary pound-feet in its RACE START mode.
Single-speed computerized
: 378 km
: 301 km
22-inch
